Improvements in and relating to vehicle friction brakes

Description

[0001] This invention relates to vehicle friction brakes and particularly, but not exclusively, to such brakes for bicycles.

[0002] When driving or riding a vehicle in wet or dirty conditions, water or dirt on one or more of the braking surfaces can cause a significant reduction in braking efficiency.

[0003] GB-A-2049078 discloses a brake assembly comprising a brake shoe carrying a brake pad and an auxiliary cleaning shoe mounted on the brake shoe by a leaf spring secured by nuts and bolts to the brake shoe and cleaning shoe. The cleaning shoe is arranged upstream of the brake pad and so as to the contact the braking surface before the brake pad, the leaf spring flexing to permit the brake pad to contact the braking surface and acting to bias the cleaning shoe against the braking surface.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component for a vehicle friction brake comprising a main body, a scraper element, and connecting means connecting the main body to the scraper element, the scraper element being adapted to move about the connecting means between a rest position and a deflected position in which the connecting means acts to bias the scraper element towards the rest position, said scraper element being adapted to be arranged to contact a surface of a member to be braked upstream of a braking member of the brake and, in said rest position and upon initial operation of the brake, to move into contact with the surface before the braking member contacts the surface and, upon further operation of the brake, as the braking member is moved into contact with the surface, to move against the bias of the connecting means to bias the scraper element into contact with the surface of the member to be braked, characterised in that the main body, the scraper element and the connecting means are formed integrally of plastics material, the main body and scraper element are substantially rigid and the connecting means is in the form of a flexible hinge portion connecting the main body to the scraper element and enabling the scraper element to move relative to the main body.

[0005] A portion at least of the scraper element may be adapted to be arranged to extend both towards the surface of the member to be braked and in a direction upstream of the braking member of the brake. The scraper element may comprise an end portion which is inclined relative to the direction of extent of the scraper element to form an apex at the leading edge of the scraper element end surface.

[0006] This scraper element end surface may be generally planar and adapted to be arranged to be generally parallel to the surface of the member to be braked as the brake is operated. At least a portion of this end surface may be arranged to extend beyond the plane of the operative surface of the braking member towards the surface of the member to be braked.

[0007] The scraper element may be adapted to be arranged to move in a direction away from the surface of the member to be braked when the brake is further operated.

[0008] Stop means are preferably provided on at least one of the scraper element and the main body for limiting movement of the scraper element about the hinge portion. These stop means advantageously comprise two projections associated with the hinge portion, the projections being arranged to have a gap therebetween in the rest position of the scraper element and to be brought into abutment in the fully deflected position of the scraper element.

[0009] The main body preferably forms a mounting member for mounting the component on the brake.

[0010] The material of the hinge portion may be of reduced thickness relative to the adjoining material of the main body and the scraper element.

[0011] The component may form part of the braking member. Alternatively, the component may be provided separately of the braking member and be adapted for attachment to the braking member to move with the braking member towards the surface of the member to be braked as the brake is operated. Means for attaching the component to the braking member or brake may comprise two walls integrally formed with the main body and depending from the main body to form a generally U-shaped channel adapted to receive at least a part of the braking member. Preferably one or more projections is provided on the walls, projecting into the channel and arranged, in use, to engage the braking member to assist attachment of the component to the braking member.

[0012] Where a portion of the main body forms a base to the channel, the portion may be apertured to allow securing means, for securing the braking member to the brake, to pass therethrough. This aperture is preferably shaped to conform generally to the shape of the base of the securing means to provide additional location of the component relative to the braking member.

[0013] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a braking apparatus for a vehicle friction brake comprising a braking member and a component in accordance with the above-recited first aspect of the present invention.

[0014] According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle friction brake comprising a brake calliper, each arm portion of the calliper being provided with at least one braking apparatus in accordance with the above-recited further aspect of the present invention, wherein the braking member of each braking apparatus is attached to its respective calliper arm portion.

[0015] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a brake component in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention;

Fig.2 is an end elevation in the direction of arrow II in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation in the direction of arrow III in Fig 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation in the direction of arrow IV in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an underneath plan view of the component of Fig.1;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5, showing the component fitted to a braking member; and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to that of Fig. 4, showing the component fitted to a braking member.

[0016] An embodiment of a component according to the present invention is shown in Figs.1-5. The component comprises a scraper element 1, and a main body 2. At the junction between the main body 2 and the scraper element 1, a flexible hinge portion 4 of reduced material thickness is provided, to act as a hinge about which the scraper element may move relative to the main body 2 between a rest position and a deflected position in which the hinge portion acts to bias the scraper element towards the rest position. The scraper element, main body and hinge portion are made integrally of plastics material and may for example be molded of a glass reinforced nylon material. Other plastics materials with the required resilient deformation characteristics for the hinge portion may, however, equally be used. The scraper element and main body are substantially rigid, with flexing being confined to the hinge portion in the deflected position of the scraper element.

[0017] The free end of the scraper element 1 is provided with a generally planar end surface 3 which is adapted so that in use it is generally parallel to the surface of the member to be braked, as will later be described.

[0018] To limit the maximum amount by which the scraper element 1 may move about the hinge portion 4 relative to the main body 2, stop means may, as shown, be provided in the form of projections 5a, 5b, on both the scraper element and main body, overlapping the hinge portion 4. In the rest position of the scraper element (as illustrated), a gap exists between mutually facing surfaces of the projections 5a, 5b, which gap is reduced and closed when the projections are brought into abutment in the fully deflected position (not shown) of the scraper element.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, the component is provided separately of the braking member 6, although it may be provided integrally with the braking member 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the component is adapted for attachment to the braking member 6, with the braking member 6 being secured to the brake calliper by a securing means 7 such as a threaded shank, so that upon operation of the brake, both the component and its associated braking member 6 move as one towards the surface of the member to be braked (not shown).

[0020] To attach the component to the braking member 6, attachment means in the form of two walls 8a, 8b, are provided, integrally formed with and depending from the main body 2 to form a generally U-shaped channel for receiving the braking member 6, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Two projections 9a, 9b, are provided on the inwardly facing surfaces of the walls, projecting into the channel, to engage, in the illustrated embodiment, under a ridge provided around the braking member 6.

[0021] To further locate the component relative to the braking member, the aperture 10 provided in the portion of the main body 2 forming the base of the channel and through which the securing means 7 extends, may be shaped to conform generally to the shape of the base of the securing means. In the illustrated embodiment, at the base of the securing means 7 there is provided an oblong boss (not shown) and the aperture 10 is correspondingly shaped. In securing the assembly of the brake member 6 and component (see Figs. 6 and 7) to the brake calliper (not shown), the portion of the main body 2 around the aperture 10 may be clamped securely between the braking member 6 and the brake calliper.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 7, the component is assembled with the braking member so that the end surface 3 of the scraper element 1 extends beyond the plane of the operative surface 12 of the braking member 6, towards the surface of the member to be braked (not shown) with the extreme tip of the end surface 3 extending beyond the plane of surface 12 by a distance X. In the illustrated embodiment the operative surface of the member to be braked may, for example, be the rim of a bicycle wheel or a brake disc, and the braking member a brake block or pad. Accordingly, when the brake is operated and the assembly 11 moves in the direction of the wheel rim, the end surface 3 will contact the wheel rim before the surface 12 contacts the wheel rim. Initially the extreme tip of surface 3 contacts the wheel rim and the continued operation of the brake causes the scraper element 1 to move about hinge portion 4, against the bias of the hinge portion, to bias the surface 3 into contact with the wheel rim, until the braking surface 12 moves into contact with the rim to provide the required braking effect. The scraper element 1 is, in use, positioned upstream of the braking surface 12 so that the action of the scraper element 1 contacts the wheel rim to clear unwanted water and/or dirt from the surface of the wheel rim before the wheel rim rotates past braking surface 12, to hence increase the braking efficiency. Advantageously, as shown, the scraper element is arranged to extend both towards the wheel rim surface and in a direction upstream of the braking surface 12, and with the end surface 3 inclined relative to the direction of extent of the scraper element, to form an apex at the leading edge of the scraper element end surface, to act like a knife blade to lift dirt from the wheel rim surface.

[0023] The stop means 5a, 5b may be arranged so that they will only be brought into abutment in the later stages of wear of the braking member, to prevent the scraper element 1 breaking.

[0024] Although illustrated and described in relation to a friction brake suitable for a bicycle, it should be appreciated that this invention is not intended to be limited to bicycle brakes, but is applicable to friction brakes for other sorts of vehicles.

Claims

1. A component for a vehicle friction brake comprising a main body (2), a scraper element (1), and connecting means (4) connecting the main body to the scraper element, the scraper element (1) being adapted to move about the connecting means (4) between a rest position and a deflected position in which the connecting means (4) acts to bias the scraper element (1) towards the rest position, said scraper element being adapted to be arranged to contact a surface of a member to be braked upstream of a braking member (6) of the brake and, in said rest position and upon initial operation of the brake, to move into contact with the surface before the braking member contacts the surface and, upon further operation of the brake, as the braking member is moved into contact with the surface, to move against the bias of the connecting means to bias the scraper element (1) into contact with the surface of the member to be braked, characterised in that the main body (2), the scraper element (1) and the connecting means (4) are formed integrally of plastics material, the main body (2) and scraper element (1) are substantially rigid and the connecting means (4) is in the form of a flexible hinge portion connecting the main body (2) to the scraper element (1) and enabling the scraper element (1) to move relative to the main body (2).

2. A component as claimed in claim 1 wherein a portion at least of the scraper element (1) is adapted to be arranged to extend both towards the surface of the member to be braked and in a direction upstream of the braking member (6) of the brake.

3. A component as claimed in claim 2, wherein the scraper element (1) comprises an end surface (3) which is inclined relative to the direction of extent of the scraper element to form an apex at the leading edge of the scraper element end surface.

4. A component as claimed in claim 3, wherein the scraper element end surface (3) is generally planar and is adapted to be arranged to be generally parallel to the surface of the member to be braked as the brake is operated.

5. A component as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least a portion of said generally planar end surface (3) is arranged to extend beyond the plane of the operative surface (12) of the braking member (6) towards the surface of the member to be braked.

6. A component as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the scraper element (1) is adapted to be arranged to move in a direction away from the surface of the member to be braked when the brake is further operated.

7. A component as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (2) forms a mounting member for mounting the component on the brake.

8. A component as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein stop means (5) are provided on at least one of the scraper element (1) and the main body (2) for limiting movement of the scraper element about the hinge portion.

9. A component as claimed in claim 8, wherein the stop means (5) comprises two projections (5a,5b) associated with the hinge portion (4), said projections being arranged to have a gap therebetween in the rest position of the scraper element (1) and to be brought into abutment in the fully deflected position of the scraper element.

10. A component as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the material of the hinge portion (4) is of reduced thickness relative to the adjoining material of the main body (2) and the scraper element (1).

11. A component as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the component is provided separately of the braking member (6) and is adapted for attachment to the braking member to move with the braking member towards the surface of the member to be braked as the brake is operated.

12. A component as claimed in claim 11, wherein means (8) are provided for attaching the component to the braking member (6) or brake, said means comprising two walls (8a,8b) integrally formed with the main body (2) and depending from the main body to form a generally U-shaped channel adapted to receive at least a part of the braking member.

13. A component as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one projection (9a,9b) is provided on the walls (8a,8b), projecting into the channel and arranged, in use, to engage the braking member (6) to assist attachment of the component to the braking member.

14. A component as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein a portion of the main body (2) forms a base to the channel and is apertured (10) to allow securing means (7), for securing the braking member (6) to the brake, to pass therethrough.

15. A component as claimed in claim 14, wherein the aperture (10) is shaped to conform generally to the shape of the base of the securing means (7) to provide additional location of the component relative to the braking member (6).

16. A component as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the component forms part of the braking member (6).

17. A braking apparatus for a vehicle friction brake, comprising a braking member (6) and a component as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

18. A vehicle friction brake comprising a brake calliper, each arm portion of the calliper being provided with at least one braking apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the braking member (6) of each braking apparatus is attached to its respective calliper arm portion.

Ansprüche

1. Ein Bauteil für eine Fahrzeugreibungsbremse umfassend einen Hauptkörper (2), ein Abstreifelement (1) und eine Verbindungseinrichtung (4), die den Hauptkörper mit dem Abstreifelement verbindet, wobei sich das Abstreifelement (1) um die Verbindungseinrichtung (4) herum zwischen einer Ruheposition und einer ausgelenkten Position bewegen kann, in der die Verbindungseinrichtung (4) wirkt, das Abstreifelement (1) in Richtung der Ruheposition zu belasten, wobei das genannte Abstreifelement ausgebildet werden kann, eine Oberfläche eines zu bremsenden Teils stromaufwärts eines Bremsteils (6) der Bremse zu berühren und sich in der genannten Ruheposition und bei anfänglicher Betätigung der Bremse in Berührung mit der Oberfläche bewegen kann, bevor das Bremsteil die Oberfläche berührt, und sich bei weiterer Betätigung der Bremse, wenn das Bremsteil in Berührung mit der Oberfläche bewegt wird, entgegen der Belastung der Verbindungseinrichtung bewegt, um das Abstreifelement (1) in Berührung mit der Oberfläche des zu bremsenden Teils zu belasten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Hauptkörper (2), das Abstreifelement (1) und die Verbindungseinrichtung (4) einstückig aus Kunststoffmaterial gebildet sind, der Hauptkörper (2) und das Abstreifelement (1) im wesentlichen starr sind und die Verbindungseinrichtung (4) in der Form eines biegbaren Gelenkabschnittes ist, der den Hauptkörper (2) mit dem Abstreifelement (1) verbindet und ermöglicht, daß sich das Abstreifelement (1) relativ zu dem Hauptkörper (2) bewegt.

2. Ein Bauteil, wie in Anspruch 1 beansprucht, wobei wenigstens ein Abschnitt des Abstreifelements (1) so ausgebildet werden kann, daß es sich in Richtung zu der Oberfläche des zu bremsenden Teils und in eine Richtung stromaufwärts des Bremsteils (6) der Bremse erstreckt.

3. Ein Bauteil, wie in Anspruch 2 beansprucht, wobei das Abstreifelement (1) eine Endoberfläche (3) umfaßt, die in bezug auf die Erstreckungsrichtung des Abstreifelements geneigt ist, um einen Scheitelwinkel an der Vorderkante der Endoberfläche des Abstreifelements zu bilden.

4. Ein Bauteil, wie in Anspruch 3 beansprucht, wobei die Endoberfläche (3) des Abstreifelements im allgemeinen eben ist und angeordnet werden kann, daß sie allgemein parallel zu der Oberfläche des zu bremsenden Teils ist, wenn die Bremse betätigt wird.

5. Ein Bauteil, wie in Anspruch 4 beansprucht, wobei wenigstens ein Abschnitt der genannten allgemein ebenen Endoberfläche (3) ausgebildet ist, daß er sich über die Ebene der Angriffsoberfläche (12) des Bremselements (6) hinaus in Richtung zu der Oberfläche des zu bremsenden Teils erstrecken kann.

6. Ein Bauteil, wie in irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche beansprucht, wobei das Abstreifelement (11) so ausgebildet werden kann, daß es sich in eine Richtung von der Oberfläche des zu bremsenden Teils fortbewegt, wenn die Bremse weiter betätigt wird.

7. Ein Bauteil, wie in irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche beansprucht, wobei der Hauptkörper (2) ein Befestigungsteil zum Befestigen des Bauteils an der Bremse bildet.

8. Ein Bauteil, wie in irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche beansprucht, wobei eine Anschlageinrichtung (5) an wenigstens dem Abstreifelement (1) oder dem Hauptkörper (2) zur begrenzenden Bewegung des Abstreifelements um den Gelenkabschnitt herum vorgesehen ist.

9. Ein Bauteil, wie in Anspruch 8 beansprucht, wobei die Anschlageinrichtung (5) zwei Vorsprünge (5a, 5b) umfaßt, die mit dem Gelenkabschnitt (4) verbunden sind, wobei die genannten Vorsprünge angeordnet sind, daß in der Ruheposition des Abstreifelements (1) ein Zwischenraum zwischen ihnen vorhanden ist und sie in der vollausgelenkten Position des Abstreifelements zum Anstoßen gebracht werden.

10. Ein Bauteil, wie in irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche beansprucht, wobei das Material des Gelenkabschnitts (4) in bezug auf das angrenzende Material des Hauptkörpers (2) und des Abstreifelements (1) von verringerter Dicke ist.

11. Ein Bauteil, wie in irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche beansprucht, wobei das Bauteil getrennt von dem Bremsteil (6) vorgesehen ist und an dem Bremsteil befestigt werden kann, um sich mit dem Bremsteil in Richtung zu der Oberfläche des zu bremsenden Teils zu bewegen, wenn die Bremse betätigt wird.

12. Ein Bauteil, wie in Anspruch 11 beansprucht, wobei Einrichtungen (8) zum Befestigen des Bauteils an dem Bremsteil (6) oder der Bremse vorgesehen sind, wobei die genannten Einrichtungen zwei Wände (8a, 8b) umfassen, die einstückig mit dem Hauptkörper (2) gebildet sind und von dem Hauptkörper ausgehen und einen allgemein U-förmigen Kanal bilden, der wenigstens einen Teil des Bremsteils aufnehmen kann.

13. Ein Bauteil, wie in Anspruch 12 beansprucht, wobei wenigstens ein Vorsprung (9a, 9b) an den Wänden (8a, 8b) vorgesehen ist, der in den Kanal vorsteht und angeordnet ist, bei der Verwendung an dem Bremselement (6) einzugreifen, um die Befestigung des Bauteils an dem Bremsteil zu unterstützen.

14. Ein Bauteil, wie in Anspruch 12 oder Anspruch 13 beansprucht, wobei ein Abschnitt des Hauptkörpers (2) eine Basis für den Kanal bildet und mit einem Loch (10) versehen ist, damit eine Befestigungseinrichtung (7) zum Befestigen des Bremsteils (6) an der Bremse hindurchgehen kann.

15. Ein Bauteil, wie in Anspruch 14 beansprucht, wobei die Öffnung (10) geformt ist, damit sie allgemein der Form der Basis der Befestigungseinrichtung (7) entspricht, um eine zusätzliche Lokalisierung des Bauteils in bezug auf das Bremsteil (6) zu schaffen.

16. Ein Bauteil, wie in irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10 beansprucht, wobei das Bauteil Teil des Bremsteils (6) bildet.

17. Eine Bremsvorrichtung für eine Fahrzeugreibungsbremse, die ein Bremsteil (6) und ein Bauteil umfaßt, wie es in irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche beansprucht ist.

18. Eine Fahrzeugreibungsbremse, die einen Bremssattel umfaßt, wobei jeder Armabschnitt der Bremsarme mit wenigstens einer Bremsvorrichtung versehen ist, wie sie in Anspruch 17 beansprucht ist, wobei das Bremsteil (6) von jeder Bremsvorrichtung an seinem entsprechenden Bremsarmabschnitt angebracht ist.

Revendications

1. Composant pour un frein à friction pour véhicule, comprenant un corps principal (2), un élément de raclage (1) et des organes de connexion (4) qui relient le corps principal à l'élément de raclage (1), l'élément de raclage (1) étant adapté à se déplacer autour des moyens de connexion (4) entre une position de repos et une position défléchie dans laquelle les éléments de connexion (4) agissent afin de solliciter l'élément de raclage (1) en direction de la position de repos, ledit élément de raclage étant adapté à être agencé de manière à venir en contact contre une surface d'un organe à freiner en amont d'un organe de freinage (6) du frein et, dans ladite position de repos et lors d'un actionnement initial du frein, à se déplacer en contact avec la surface avant que l'organe de freinage ne vienne en contact contre la surface et, lors de la poursuite de l'actionnement du frein, tandis que l'organe de freinage est déplacé en contact avec la surface, à se déplacer a l'encontre de la sollicitation des éléments de connexion afin de repousser l'élément de raclage (1) en contact avec la surface de l'organe à freiner, caractérisé en ce que le corps principal (2), l'élément de raclage (1) et les éléments de connexion (4) sont formés de façon intégrée en matière plastique, le corps principal (2) et l'élément de raclage (1) étant sensiblement rigides, et les éléments de connexion (4) ayant la forme d'une partie de charnière flexible qui relie le corps principal (2) à l'élément de raclage (1) et qui permet à l'élément de raclage (1) de se déplacer par rapport au corps principal (2).

2. Composant selon la revendication 1, dans lequel au moins une partie de l'élément de raclage (1) est adaptée à être agencée de manière à s'étendre à la fois en direction de la surface de l'organe à freiner et dans une direction en amont de l'organe de freinage (6) du frein.

3. Composant selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'élément de raclage (1) comprend une surface d'extrémité (3) qui est inclinée par rapport à la direction d'extension de l'élément de raclage afin de former une arête sur le bord d'attaque de la surface d'extrémité de l'élément de raclage.

4. Composant selon la revendication 3, dans lequel la surface d'extrémité (3) de l'élément de raclage est généralement plane, et en ce qu'elle est adaptée à être agencée de manière à être généralement parallèle à la surface de l'organe à freiner lorsque le frein est actionné.

5. Composant selon la revendication 4, dans lequel au moins une partie de ladite surface d'extrémité généralement plane (3) est agencée de manière à s'étendre au-delà du plan de la surface active (12) de l'organe de freinage (6) en direction de la surface de l'organe à freiner.

6. Composant selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'élément de raclage (1) est adapté de manière à être agencé pour se déplacer dans une direction en éloignement de la surface de l'organe à freiner lorsqu'on poursuit l'actionnement du frein.

7. Composant selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le corps principal (2) forme un organe de montage afin de monter le composant sur le frein.

8. Composant selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel des éléments d'arrêt (5) sont prévus l'un au moins des deux organes constitués par l'élément de raclage (1) et le corps principal (2) afin de limiter le mouvement de l'élément de raclage autour de la partie formant charnière.

9. Composant selon la revendication 8, dans lequel les éléments d'arrêt (5) comprennent deux projections (5a, 5b) associées à la partie formant charnière (4), lesdites projections étant agencées de manière à être séparées par un intervalle dans la position de repos de l'élément de raclage (1), et de manière à être amenées en butée dans la position totalement défléchie de l'élément de raclage.

10. Composant selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le matériau de la partie formant charnière (4) a une épaisseur réduite par rapport au matériau avoisinant du corps principal (2) et de l'élément de raclage (1).

11. Composant selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes; dans lequel le composant est prévu séparément de l'organe de freinage (6), et en ce qu'il est adapté à être attaché à l'organe de freinage afin de se déplacer avec l'organe de freinage en direction de la surface de l'organe à freiner lorsque le frein est actionné.

12. Composant selon la revendication 11, dans lequel des moyens (8) sont prévus afin d'attacher le composant sur l'organe de freinage (6); ou sur le frein, lesdits moyens comprenant deux parois (8a; 8b) formées de manière intégrée avec le corps principal (2) et dépendant du corps principal afin de former un conduit généralement en forme de U adapté à recevoir au moins une partie de l'organe de freinage.

13. Composant selon la revendication 12, dans lequel au moins une projection (9a, 9b) est prévue sur les parois (8a, 8b), qui se projette à l'intérieur du conduit et qui est agencée en utilisation de manière à engager l'organe de freinage (6) pour assister la fixation du composant sur l'organe de freinage.

14. Composant selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications 12 ou 13, dans lequel une partie du corps principal (2) forme une base pour le conduit, et est dotée d'ouvertures (10) afin de permettre la traversée d'organes de fixation (7) afin de fixer l'organe de freinage (6) sur le frein.

15. Composant selon la revendication 14, dans lequel l'ouverture (10) a une forme telle qu'elle se conforme généralement à la forme de la base des organes de fixation (7) afin d'assurer un positionnement additionnel du composant par rapport à l'organe de freinage (6).

16. Composant selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, dans lequel le composant fait partie de l'organe de freinage (6).

17. Appareil de freinage pour un frein à friction d'un véhicule, comprenant un organe de freinage (6) et un composant tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes.

18. Frein à friction pour véhicule, comprenant un étrier de frein, chaque partie de bras de l'étrier étant pourvue d'au moins un appareil de freinage tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 17, dans lequel l'organe de freinage (6) de chaque appareil de freinage est attaché sur sa partie de bras respective de l'étrier.

Drawing